Boeing bulllish on Chinook winning Indian competition

[SP!TF!R3]

Yes it is a HLH competition and the conclusion about performance is pretty clear for most of us, although I'm not sure about the price though.

try these two links--

Mi-26 - Welcome to Aircraft Compare

Chinook - Welcome to Aircraft Compare

 

[sancho]

Nice combo for IAF:

Cockpit:

 

[IND151]

But these helicopters are meant for the heavy lift role and not for tactical roles, that's only a PR argument from Boeing, but this role is done by Mi 17s in IAF and the huge orders confirms that they are more than happy with them. This competition is only for 15 x heavy transport helicopters and when transporting cargo, vehicles, troops it the requirement, the Chinook is not even close to be comparable to the Mi 26. That's why even the US forces use Ch 53 in this heavier role!
If IAF wants helicopters to improve the tactical role next to Mi 17s, CV 22s would make much more sense than Chinooks. So all in all, it's not the best choice for IAF, but since Ch 53s seems not to be in the competition anymore and if the Russians remain with the maintenance issues, it will have a chance to win, otherwise it hasn't.
Btw, you are mistaken about Russians losing out, just check the numbers of Mi 17, additional Su 30s, Mig 29s, or Phalcon AWACS that again comes with A50 platforms (let alone MRTA and FGFA numbers in future) and you will see a clear difference. US aircrafts comes in in smaller numbers and only in specialised roles so far, where they advanced techs and capabilities would be a good addition to IAF, one reason why the Apache was always the front runner.



You might want to check what the current Mi 26 was used for in operational service in IAF and might compare if the Chinook can do the same!
So the operational use is a clear point FOR and not against the Mi 26, only the maintenance was an issue, but this modernised version is by far different, so it ends up with, will Mil improve their after sale support or can we build parts of it in India to make sure maintenance is secured.

just years ago US hired a civilian MI 26 to lift a damaged CH 47 in Afghanistan

 

[sancho]

just years ago US hired a civilian MI 26 to lift a damaged CH 47 in Afghanistan

That's not unusual, they also hire An 124 aircrafts to carry military vehicle if needed, just like many NATO countries does.

 

[sancho]

Featherweights Celebrate 26th Anniversary

126 Helicopter flight, christened ‘Featherweights’ was raised at Chandigarh on 15 May 1986.The unit was established to fly the Mi-26 helicopter, the largest and heaviest helicopter in the world, a very formidable machine capable of versatile roles. The flight lives by the motto ‘Aaptsu Mitram’ which means a friend who is always around to help when tragedy strikes. The ‘Bhim’ of the Indian Airforce has till date flown almost 8000 hours carrying 13559 tons of load.

The flight has the unique distinction of operating the world’s heaviest helicopter in the highest and coldest battlefield in the world, the Siachen Glacier. The flight has undertaken flood relief operations in different parts of the country as well as relief operations during the Orissa Supercyclone of 1999. The flight played a major role in avoiding a Bhopal like gas tragedy at Paradeep Phosphates Ltd where the Ammonia gas tanks needed to be cooled at the earliest to prevent the gas from leaking out. The flight airlifted heavy duty generators which were used to cool the storage tanks thus avoiding a major disaster. The flight was also actively involved in the Kargil war wherein it performed numerous missions by day and night.

Another unique feature of the Mi-26 helicopter is its ability to carry very heavy (weighing upto 20 tons) and odd shaped loads slung under its belly. The flight has played a major role by airlifting various aircraft - fighters, helicopters and even a civilian passenger plane. Featherweights have played another big role in nation building by transporting heavy loads of the Konkan Railways Corporation Ltd which was entrusted with the task of laying the railway line between Jammu and Banihal. The flight also regularly undertakes air maintenance sorties to the highest Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) at an elevation of 15,500 feet above mean sea level. The flight was instrumental in making the ALG at DBO fit for use by the fixed wing transport aircraft by airlifting heavy machinery like dozers and rollers to DBO.

The flight also played an important role in the revival and reopening of Vijaynagar ALG in the North Eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. All sorts of heavy machinery and construction material were transported in the Mi-26 to make the ALG fit for landing. The flight has been closely associated with various projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Mi-26 has time and again been called upon to lead various helicopter formations on occasions like the Air Force Day parade, Republic day parade and Presidents fleet review.

The flight at present is commanded by Group Captain JVS Guron VM. As the flight completes 25 years of exceptional service, the air warriors of 126 HF look forward to continue the good work of nation building.

pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=0


I think this makes clear what the heavy lift helicopters might have to do.